Patents by Inventor Drew Mclain Skeels

Drew Mclain Skeels has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11766088
    Abstract: An article of footwear can comprise: an upper, and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate, inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Jacobsen, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels
  • Publication number: 20230275610
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Patent number: 11689236
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Publication number: 20220116066
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Patent number: 11206053
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Publication number: 20210194526
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Patent number: 10862522
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coining into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Publication number: 20200268093
    Abstract: An article of footwear can comprise: an upper, and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate, inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Jacobsen, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels
  • Patent number: 10687578
    Abstract: An article of footwear can comprise: an upper; and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate; inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Jacobsen, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels
  • Patent number: 10211870
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew McLain Skeels, Allison Walters
  • Publication number: 20180167097
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coming into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas MORAN, Holli PHEIL, Drew McLain SKEELS, Allison WALTERS
  • Publication number: 20180132559
    Abstract: An article of footwear can comprise: an upper; and a sole assembly connected to the upper to form a receptacle for a human foot, the sole assembly can comprise: a cushion comprising an exterior wall that forms an enclosure; an antenna disposed within the enclosure; and a microchip connected to the antenna. A method of manufacturing an article of footwear can comprise: positioning an electronic communication device between two plies of polymer laminate; heating the two plies of polymer laminate to form a weld area and a cushion area, wherein the electronic communication device becomes encapsulated between the two plies of polymer laminate; inflating the cushion area with a gas; and sealing the cushion area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew Jacobsen, Holli Pheil, Drew Mclain Skeels
  • Publication number: 20180078207
    Abstract: A wearable article, system, and methods may include a structure configured to enclose a human body part. A first antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate, while the wearable article is being worn, according to a first wireless communication modality with a first external antenna. A second antenna, positioned with respect to the structure, is tuned to communicate according to a second wireless communication modality with a second external antenna different than the first external N antenna, the second communication modality being different than the first communication modality. A transceiver, coupled to at least one of the first antenna and the second antenna, is configured to communicate via one of the first and second antennas based, at least in part, on the one of the first and second antennas coining into wireless communication contact with a corresponding one of the first and second external antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Moran, Holli Pheil, Drew Mclain Skeels, Allison Walters